Fr. Ryan and his wife, Elise, came to us from Tampa in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and they are very excited to be here. Their first Sunday with us was January 24, 2010, which was also their wedding anniversary.

Fr. Ryan grew up in Fort Myers, FL and is a “cradle” Episcopalian, having been raised at St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church in Fort Myers. He earned a double undergraduate degree in History and Religion at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and went directly from there to seminary at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He spent his senior year as the Seminarian Intern at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston, where he grew to a deeper love and knowledge of the church’s traditions in liturgy and music.

After completing seminary, Fr. Ryan was ordained a Deacon in June of 2006 and a Priest in December of 2006, both at the parish where he served as the Assistant Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Tampa, FL. It was during his time there that he met his lovely wife, Elise (also a "cradle" Episcopalian), at a diocesan Young Adults retreat at DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center. They were married in January 2009.  In October, 2011, Elise and Fr. Ryan welcomed their first child, Jackson Randolph!  Elise is a high school guidance counselor and earned her Master’s degree at the University of South Florida.Their dog, Sebastian, is often found accompanying Fr. Ryan to work and has earned the distinction of being named St. George's first Vicar Canine.

Fr. Ryan is a very dedicated baseball fan (even if it is for the division rival Atlanta Braves). He also loves to read and discuss fiction and movies, and loves playing recreational softball.

Click here to view the video of the installation of Fr. Ryan as the 4th Rector of St. George's, on May 2nd, 2010.

Fr. Ryan is a member of the Society of Catholic Priests  and the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.  He is also a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, and the Vice-President of the Haverford Township Clergy Association.

 The Rev. Ryan R. Whitley
Rector

Get in touch with Fr. Ryan

Office:  610.642.3500
Mobile: 484.343.3455

Email:  whitleyrr@gmail.com